Last year it was then-sophomore do-everything forward Ismael Sanogo that stepped up as Seton Hall’s breakout player, but who will it be in 2016-17?

Ish went from 5.3 minutes per game as a freshman to 28 last campaign and was just as pesky or better than Derrick Gordon defensively on quite a few nights during the 2015-16 season. He had one of the highest percentage of total minutes on the team at one stage a year ago after logging just 96 as a frosh and was a tremendous influence on the boards.

Taking things like expectations and the past year’s performance into consideration, let’s look at who could be handed this baton under Kevin Willard’s watch this go-around.

The Veterans – Yes, we may be able to call this core of juniors “veterans” some time this season, but it may take a leap onto the national stage to be considered breakout-eligible in 2016-17: Ismael Sanogo, Desi Rodriguez, Khadeen Carrington, Angel Delgado

While new kid on the block Myles Powell‘s loss of 35 pounds could also earn the three-point threat some freshman accolades and also turn into an impact recruit, I’d wager Mike Nzei will also threaten to get ‘breakout’ status as he looks to build upon a quietly effective redshirt freshman season.

Elsewhere, it hurts that Jevon Thomas is ineligible until at least December, but the Hall could really benefit by one of him or graduate transfer Madison Jones to facilitate at point guard at a breakout level. Per Kevin Willard, Thomas will bring a Paul Gause-like defensive presence while his peers have spoken highly of Jones’ point guard poise.